Description
This flavorful Taco Rice recipe is a hearty and satisfying one-pan meal that combines seasoned ground beef, tender rice cooked in a tomato-infused broth, and melted cheddar cheese. Topped with fresh ingredients like lettuce, tomatoes, and creamy avocado, it offers a delicious Tex-Mex-inspired dinner perfect for any night of the week.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 small onion (finely chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 3 tablespoons taco seasoning (1 packet)
- 1 cup uncooked long grain white rice
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 8 ounces tomato sauce
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Toppings
- Lettuce (shredded, to taste)
- Tomatoes (diced, to taste)
- Sour cream (to taste)
- Cilantro (chopped, for garnish)
- Jalapeños (sliced, optional)
- Avocados (sliced or diced)
- Tortilla chips (for serving)
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, add the lean ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink.
- Cook the onions: Add the finely chopped onion to the skillet with the beef, and cook until the onions are soft and translucent. Drain excess grease from the pan to reduce fat content.
- Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute, until fragrant.
- Season the meat: Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the beef mixture and stir well until the meat is evenly coated with the spices.
- Combine rice and liquids: Pour in the uncooked rice, tomato sauce, and low-sodium chicken broth. Stir until all ingredients are well combined.
- Cook the rice: Bring the mixture to a boil, then cover the skillet and reduce heat to medium-low. Let it simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the rice is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.
- Stir in cheese: Once the rice is cooked, remove the skillet from heat and gently mix in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and evenly distributed.
- Serve with toppings: Dish out the taco rice and serve with your choice of fresh toppings such as shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream, chopped cilantro, jalapeños, avocados, and crunchy tortilla chips.
Notes
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to control the salt content in the dish.
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- Adjust the amount of taco seasoning based on your spice preference.
- Covering the skillet while cooking the rice helps steam it properly and prevents burning.
- For a vegetarian version, replace ground beef with cooked lentils or beans and use vegetable broth.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat easily on the stovetop or microwave.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Keywords: taco rice, ground beef recipe, Tex-Mex dinner, one-pan meal, taco seasoning, easy dinner, skillet recipe, quick rice recipe
